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Original poster

Help! Beautiful black dress for dad’s funeral

65 replies

egdehsdrawkcab · 30/07/2025 13:39

Hello,

I am in fairly urgent need of a lovely, modest, black dress for my dear dad’s funeral.

Must have sleeves (elbow or longer), knee length at least or below, I prefer high neck too as I’m a bit busty. I prefer something with interest, structure, or subtle pattern. I’m a squishy size 12, wrap dresses are off as just not flattering on me.

budget - willing to spend but not crazy money (not more than £350/400).

please link any ideas! Much appreciated.

OP posts:
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19
OffToSeaInABlizzard · 30/07/2025 16:02

My condolences.

I’m not sure if your timeframe means you can only shop in person or have time to order online?

This might be plainer than you were thinking of, but a necklace or brooch would be sufficient to add interest:

https://www.cos.com/en-gb/women/womenswear/dresses/silk-dresses/product/the-draped-silk-dress-carbon-1271476001

WinWhenTheyreSinging · 30/07/2025 16:06

Sorry for your loss.

Are you sure you want a 'beautiful dress' for this occasion? - I'd be buying an appropriate one that I liked, but didn't love, because it would be forever tainted for me afterwards and I wouldn't enjoy wearing it again.

OffToSeaInABlizzard · 30/07/2025 16:09

Or there’s this:

https://gb.maxmara.com/p-9221045106011-clea-black

HundredMilesAnHour · 30/07/2025 16:11

Would something like this Grizas dress work?

https://www.fenwick.co.uk/products/grizas-silk-crinkle-dress-black-black-94056-st1

I have a couple of Grizas dresses that I use mainly for work as they’re quite conservative but have some interest with the texture / fabric / shape. They’re well cut, are washable and don’t need ironing.

Silk Crinkle Dress Black

Grizas round neck crinkled silk linen dress in black.

https://www.fenwick.co.uk/products/grizas-silk-crinkle-dress-black-black-94056-st1

OffToSeaInABlizzard · 30/07/2025 16:12

@WinWhenTheyreSinging I’m pretty certain, in fact I know from experience, that there are more varied cultures of doing funeral dressing than MN is generally prepared to accept.

midlifeattheoasis · 30/07/2025 16:12

WinWhenTheyreSinging · 30/07/2025 16:06

Sorry for your loss.

Are you sure you want a 'beautiful dress' for this occasion? - I'd be buying an appropriate one that I liked, but didn't love, because it would be forever tainted for me afterwards and I wouldn't enjoy wearing it again.

I agree with this. I had a dress I loved and had worn a couple of times prior to my dad’s funeral but have never been able to bring myself to wear it since. It just feels wrong to wear it again.

Sorry for your loss

Absentmindedsmile · 30/07/2025 16:14

midlifeattheoasis · 30/07/2025 16:12

I agree with this. I had a dress I loved and had worn a couple of times prior to my dad’s funeral but have never been able to bring myself to wear it since. It just feels wrong to wear it again.

Sorry for your loss

Show quote history

Same here. I bought it for the funeral years ago and never could wear it again.

Duckies · 30/07/2025 16:30

I'd echo PPs that you will most likely not want to wear this dress again, possibly ever.

I bought a smart jacket for a relative's funeral recently, thinking I'd wear it loads, and ended up selling immediately afterwards.

TizerorFizz · 30/07/2025 16:38

I’ve been to my parents funerals - 44 years apart. Kept my clothes and wore them again. I don’t see clothes as defining the day. Other things were far more important.

M&S have some brands with black long sleeve dresses - Finery, Ghost, Ro&Zo. None very expensive and their delivery is quick.

Screamingabdabz · 30/07/2025 16:50

I bought a basic black Mango dress for my dad’s funeral and it’s been a staple item ever since. I wear it all the time!

Hedonism · 30/07/2025 17:15

AnotherEmma · 30/07/2025 17:01

That second one is beautiful.

I bought a black jersey skirt and a black broderie anglaise top from Boden for a close relative's funeral last month (can't link as phone playing up), I've worn them both several times since both together and separately.

If I'm totally honest I'd had my eye on the skirt for a little while...

OffToSeaInABlizzard · 30/07/2025 17:21

Would anything here work for you?

https://www.studionicholson.com/search?type=product&q=Black+dress&options%5Bprefix%5D=last

(All much nicer in the flesh than in photos.)

goldfishbowl2025 · 30/07/2025 17:55

I threw out what I wore to my dad’s funeral

ARichtGoodDram · 30/07/2025 18:00

This one from Hobbs would fit the bill

Help! Beautiful black dress for dad’s funeral